Russia’s ban will likely increase demand for children from these nations

Some 7% of all children adopted in the U.S. come from overseas. And now that Russia — which had been the third most popular nation for adoption – instituted a ban last week, Americans will have to look elsewhere around the globe. But even before the ban, international adoptions had been falling in recent years: They were down 16% to 9,319 in 2011, 60% below their peak of 23,000 in 2004, according to the U.S. Department of State. An estimated 60,000-plus Russian children have been adopted by Americans in the past two decades — 970 in 2011. More paperwork and longer wait times in some countries on inter-country adoptions, plus an increase in domestic adoption rates in many countries have contributed to the reduction. In light of Russia’s ban, here are four of the most popular countries for U.S. adoptions. — By Quentin Fottrell

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China: 2,589 adoptions

Although China is the most popular country for U.S. adoptions, it’s still down from a peak of nearly 8,000 in 2005, partly as a result of an improving Chinese economy and a growth in domestic adoptions. Like many countries, Chinese authorities did not like the image that it cannot care for its own children, says Adam Pertman, author of “Adoption Nation” and executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, a New York-based nonprofit think tank. “There’s always an element of nationalism involved.”

Addis Ababa -- Matej Hudovernik / Shutterstock.com

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Ethiopia: 1,727 adoptions

There’s been a rise in adoptions in this East African country in recent years, and not just because actress Angelina Jolie adopted a baby there in 2005. The reason? “Availability,” Pertman says. “Adoption rates are very much at the mercy of circumstances within that country.” As economic problems worsened in Ethiopia, authorities there realized that children needed homes somewhere, experts say, and Ethiopia has had wait times as short as 12 months, versus five years in many other countries.

Seoul -- SARIN KUNTHONG / Shutterstock.com

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South Korea: 736 adoptions

Like many other countries, South Korea started fostering an adoption culture within the country in recent years, resulting in a decrease in international adoptions. But did so less abruptly than in Russia, experts say. Typically, infants put up for adoption there are relinquished by unwed mothers and live with a foster family until they’re adopted, according to The Adoption Guide, a New York-based resource for adoption around the world. Children generally receive good medical care, it says, and background information on the birth family is typically available.

Kiev -- Alexandra Lande / Shutterstock.com

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Ukraine: 632 adoptions

The timeframe for adoption of children from the Ukraine is usually six to 24 months, which is relatively speedy by international standards, according to Adoption Ark, an adoption agency based in Buffalo Grove, Ill. After the Ukraine, the Philippines, India, Columbia, Uganda and Taiwan rate as the next five most common places to adopt a baby; adoptions in those countries in 2011 ranged from 205 per year to 230, but those numbers may increase following the Russian ban.

Kiev -- Alexandra Lande / Shutterstock.com

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Ukraine: 632 adoptions

The timeframe for adoption of children from the Ukraine is usually six to 24 months, which is relatively speedy by international standards, according to Adoption Ark, an adoption agency based in Buffalo Grove, Ill. After the Ukraine, the Philippines, India, Columbia, Uganda and Taiwan rate as the next five most common places to adopt a baby; adoptions in those countries in 2011 ranged from 205 per year to 230, but those numbers may increase following the Russian ban.

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